The 6 nations isn’t sold by premier rugby either, its sold by a completely different company based in Dublin, which also sells the lions tour (who also sold for 2017 to Sky, at exactly the same time as the RFL deal, But surely they would have run around to BT and BBC and got other prices, they would never sell so early on, not in this market no sir), friendlies are sold by the RFU and the RUWC by the IRB.

Fantastic news.

You are aware that the rate of inflation was above 3% throughout 2010 and 2011 and right up until April 2012 despite healthier forecasts beforehand?

Your slavish acceptance of what the former Governor of the Bank of Canada might forecast is duly noted.

So are we all agreed that comparing the practically all-inclusive 5 year £200 million Sky deal from 2017 to 2021 with only the £152 million 4 year Aviva Premiership deal and then claiming victory over the other code is tantamount to the existence of an extremely insecure agenda?

You are aware that the economic situations of 2010 and 2011 are different to those currently in place? And even during depression we didn't see hyper inflationary rates like those in the 70s?

It's called forward guidance - and is a strong economic tool applied by the Bank of England. Whilst figures are generally off (though not as much as the Americans, there last 3 nfp estimates have been hilariously off) they show the picture of what is expected to happen (hence the name). Unless you're saying you know the British economy better than some of the best bankers in the country?

Of course, none of this makes them conservative like you originally claimed.

Let me paint a hypothetical picture. Suppose for a second, in the next two years, America defaults on its debt (which at the moment seems somewhat likely) - the mass economic effect of that is hard to imagine, but suppose the effect is to drag down the value of oil and gas, which in turn drags down the prices of living. Despite the increased spending power of the people of Britain, economic news has created a scared environment, with excess cash being stored in equities and bonds whilst the trouble caused by America ceases. This is the lead to deflation. Should then the rfu whose lack of foresight means they're renegotiating deals during this period, are only able to receive 100m (due to hyper deflationary effects) for the same length of deal - I presume you will be all over this board for the brilliance of the deal being negotiated during stronger economic times? All hypothetical and improbable ... But could happen. So instead of trying to predict the future of what it could be worth, why don't we compare it to what we have currently, and just see it's a better deal than what we've had?

As I say, if buts and maybes.

The mean inflation rate in the UK circa Jan 2010 until Jan 2014 was just over 3% (real figures, not forecasts) therefore it wasn't an unreasonable percentage figure to employ.

Good luck with the "inflation rate will be 2% or lower" forecasts from now until 2021 at least.

big question with the TV deal for me is, does this narrow the gap of whats being paid between union and league? I think Rugby league is slowly catching up with union. Still i would say league has a more hardcore fan base than union no matter what gutterwax or the other guy says.

We need strong guidance for the next ten years and hopefully the game should be blooming. with technology its easier for people to read and get some kind off affiliation towards league than say 10 years ago, where union was more dominant in every aspect. Neutral fans can no longer be told league is just union with less rules because its clearly not.

You have to look at the hard work done by the NRL they wasn't always mega rich and such a dominant association as they are now. isn't the ARFU almost bankrupt?

Lol. Just lol.
The desperation of AP is embarrassing.

Does anyone know what figures the premier league darts got on the same night. That was a battle I was interested in. Personally I like both but rugby comes first everytime.

You Pie Eaters keep saying this. But where's the beef?
Why have Wigan repeatedly failed to find a long-term sponsor?
Why do they fail to attract the big deals and blue chip companies that the other big clubs do?
Why is Wigan RLFC Limited technically insolvent and only able to continue trading thanks to Lenagan propping it up?

They've not been announced by BARB yet but I have some comparative viewing figures from last season over the same like-for-like period of time (Feb to May).

In 2013, Premier League Darts on a Thursday night delivered a total of 3,209,000 viewers from 15 events at an average of around 214,000 viewers per event. Smokeycalc or Him would no doubt multiply those averages by x5 (Avg: 1,070,000 per game) if it suited the Smokeycalc or Him agenda since there were 5 games played per event

In 2013 during the same period the Premier League Darts was underway, Super League fixtures on a Friday night delivered 2,477,000 viewers from 13 fixtures at an average of around 191,000 per game. Super League fixtures on an early Saturday evening delivered 665,000 viewers from 5 fixtures at an average of around 133,000 per game.

But you've not taken inflation into account in those figures William!

Nice comparison, events vs fixtures.

Just LOL

Has anyone discovered yet why the RFL believe their viewing figures of 353,000 for the Wigan/Hudds opener last week are 38% higher than the 188,000 viewers for the Leeds/Hull opener in 2013?

Or are the resident RL moonies on this forum happy to accept what they've been fed?

Cracking Thread this one......CJ's voluntary tackle could be at risk methinx.

Great opening night viewing figures BTW and here's hoping that it continues strongly all season. Knock-down Nigel is definitely getting his moneys worth from his Bumper Book of Spin!.....the only thing puzzling me is that a great number of "Self Appointed Defenders of the RL Faith" who berate me for comparing RL to RU seem to be comparing RU to RL in this thread.